Manufacture of shingle strips



April 7, 1925.

S. M. LANGSTON MANUFACTURE OF SHINGLE STRIPS Filed Dec. 20, 1922 '2SheetsSheet 1 April 7, 1925. 1,532,538

s. M. LANGSTON MANUFACTURE OF SHINGLE STRIPS Filed Dec. 20, 1922 2Sheets-Sheet 2 (Z 6' 5 I a 3 t I M w? B Q n n J a 0 B 4 $3., Z a 16 141] 1| l] H n u M Patented Apr. 7 1925.-

PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL M. LANGSTON, OF WENONAH, NEW JERSEY.

MANUFACTURE O'F' SHINGLE STRIPS.

Application filed December 20, 1922. Serial No. 608,113.

'1 '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL M. LANq- TON, a citizen of the United States,and resihi nt of Wenonah, in the county of Glouceste and State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in theManufacture of Shingle trips, of which the following'is a specification.

This invention relates to the manufacture of that type of multipleshingle or roofing strip which is made of paper,.felt, asbestos or otheranalogous flexible sheet material saturated or treated with asphalt,tar, pitch or other -waterproofing composition and coated on at leastone surface with sand,

, grit, crushed slate, or other mineral or fireproof material.

A common form of such multiple shingle is of alength several times thewidth and provided with .a plurality of notches or recesses in one ofthe longer edges, so as to form tabs each of a width corresponding tothat of an individual shingle. The strips when laid in overlapping rowson the roof have the tabs and notches exposed at the lower edge to givethe general appearance of individual shingles. The products of differentmanufacturers vary as tothe shape and configuration of these tabs orshinglelike projections, and as to the relative widths. ofthe tabs andthe notches or inter vening'spaces. It is customary to cut such stripsfrom sheet material which'is continu ously or intermittently fed from aroll, a saturating and coating machine, or other 7 source of supply.

My invention is a new apparatus for making multiple shingles of the kindabove referred-to. Many processes and machines have been invented formaking these multiple shingles. In some it has been proosed to use asheet of a width correspond ing' to the length of the shingle strip withthe strips extending transversely of the sheet, and the spacing betweentransverse cuts corresponding to the width of a strip.

In others it has been proposed to use a sheet of a width equal to amultiple of the width of astrip with the strips extending lengthwise ofthe sheet and slitted lengthwise between strips. There are numerousadvantages for the lengthwise arrangement of the strips in the sheet, asointed out in .my Patent 1,441,359, issued anuary 9th, 1923, and allowedOctober 27th, 1922. Briefly, these include reduction in number oftransverse cuts per unit of length, high speed of sheet travel, limitingdimensional variations to strip width rather than length, and reducingwidth of a possible waste strip if the sheet be much too wide. 7 One ofthe principal difficulties which has prevented theme of the lastmentioned arrangement prior to the invention of my patent above referredto, is the fact that as soon as the sheet is perforatedor slotted at theproper points to form the recesses between the tabs, andthe sheetisslitted, the resulting tabs and recesses of each strip extend in adirection at right angles to the direction of feed of the sheet. Thetabs when unsupported at their free ends often droop or bend down, sothat during the advance of the material they are liable to catch on orbe folded under by parts of the machine with which they en age. Theliability of bending thetabs is particularly great if the sheet materialis fresh' from the saturating and coating machine and still hot, as isoften the case.

One object of'my present invention'is to overcome these mechanicaldifliculties and effectively support the tabs as they pass to andbeyondthe'strip cut off mechanism whereby the trahsverse cutting of thesheet to subdivide the previously vformed strips into sections of thedesired length may be the last cutting step in the process andeffectively performed.

A further object is to provide an improved stri cut off and supportingmecha- As the first step in the process I form the: sheet one or morerows of apertures .ot

a size and position determined upon in accordance with thecharacter ofthe finished shingle stri and the recesses, notches or aces whic it isdesired that the latter shall present along the edge thereof. The sheet,is thereafter slitted lengthwise to form strips side by side, andextending lengthwise of the sheet. The lines along which the slitting isdone are spaced apart at distances equal to' the width of the finishedstrips, and are so located. that such apertures as'are locatedintermediate of the side edges of -.the sheet are intersected by theslits so as to form the free ended tabs and intervening notches orspaces along one edge of each strip. The series of strips arranged sideby side are thereafter sub-' divided transversely into sections to formthe finished strips.

As one important feature of my invention I provide a cut off mechanismof the rotary type in which the blade or blades during the cuttingaction travel with the sheet at substantially the same speed, and whichis so constructed as to permit of the proper sup: porting of the tabs orlaterally projecting parts during such cutting action.

As another important feature,,I arrange the blades of the cut offmechanism and the aperture forming mechanism alternately across theWidth of the sheet, and so time and drive the parts that the cut-offmechanism acts only on the portions of the sheet at opposite sides of anaperture. Thus the portlon of the sheet having the aperture may passfreely through the cut ofi' mechanism and be properly supported duringsuch travel.

As a further feature I provide a novel arrangement of conveyor beltswhich act to support the laterally projecting parts of the strip andcarry them directly through the cut off mechanism.

As a further feature I provide supporting means so disposed in respectto the slitting mechanism as to prevent the displacement of the tabs asthey are severed at their free ends by the slitting mechanism and whichserves to' support said tabs as they pass through the machine beyondsaid slitting mechanism. Thus the tabs as soon as they are formed, areprevented from bending down or drooping and their edges or corners areprevented from catching on any obstructions during the progress of thestrips through the machine.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated somewhatdiagrammatically the essential parts of certain mechanism embodying myinvention. In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the operating parts ofone form of machine embodying my invention, said section being taken onthe line 11 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, but on asomewhat larger scale.

Fig. 3 is a section Fi s. 2 and 4.

ig. 4 is a plan view of certain of the parts, taken on the line 4-4 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section similar to Fig. 1, but showing an alternative form.

F Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of 1g. 5. Fig. 7 is a sectionsimilar to Figs. 1 and 5, but showing a third form.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of certain of the parts taken'on the line 88 ofFig. 7

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a sheet showing on the lines 3-3 of ing variousforms of shingles or shinglestrips, and particularly for cutting a sheetinto shingle strips which extend lengthwise of the sheet, that is, inthe direction of travelv of the sheet, and which present projections ortabs along one or more edges, and at an angle to the direction oftravel.

In Fig. 9 I have shown a sheet A which may be advanced from right toleft, and from any suitable source. For making a standard form ofshingle this sheet may be of felt, asbestos or other fibrous materialcoated or saturated with a waterproofing compound and coated uponsurface with crushed slate, grit, or other fireproof or mineralsubstance.

As the first step in the process there are formed a series of slots orapertures a in one or more rows extending lengthwise of the sheet, andpreferably intermediate of the side edges. These apertures are formed ofa width lengthwise of the sheet, equal to the desired width of thenotches or recesses in the finished strips, and are of a widthtransverselyof the sheet equal to the depth of such notches or recesses,or twice the depth, depending upon the location of the slits laterformed in the sheet. The apertures may be formed in any suitable manner,for instance there may be first formed a series of pairs of paralleltransverse slits b and thereafter a series of pairs of longitudinalslits. a properly registering with the slits b to define the aperturesa. Thereafter the sheet is passed through slitting mechanism which formslongitudinal slits d and the sheet is then cut transversely to subdividethe strips into sections B which may form the final product. Thetransverse cuts which subdivide the sections B from the body of thesheet A are along lines 6, e, e", etc., which intersect an aperture a ora se ries of apertures if there be more than one row lengthwise of thesheet. The transverse slits or cuts 6, e, 6", out each strip from itsstraight edge to one of the notches or recesses therein.

In Fig. 9 I have shown two rows of apertures a each of a width equal todouble the depth of the desired notch or recess of the strip, and slitthe sheet along three lines (I, two of which intersect the two rows ofapertures intermediate of the opposite ends of each aperture, and thethird subdividesthe sheet intermediate of the two rows of aper tures.This arrangement is not essential as the rows of apertures may be formedas shown in Fig. 10. Here there are apertures a which are of a widthtransversely of the sheet equal to only the depth of the recess, andother apertures a of double that width. The slitting in this case is thesame, but

the apertures are so positioned that two of' the slits d intersect theapertures a, at their ends rather than intermediate of their ends. Thisarrangement is preferable in some cases, as it facilitates the use of asheet of a width equal to only three strips or a strip equal to-thewidth of four or more strips without having any of the apertures formedalong a side edge of the sh et.

It will ofcourse be understood that I do not wish to be limited to thisparticular shape of'shingle strip, as there may be a greater or lessernumber of 'tabs or lateral projections on each strip, and the relativewidths as well as the shapes of the projections and recesses may bevariedin accordance with the desire of the shingle manufacturer.

So far as the present invention is concorned I do not wish to berestricted in any way to the character of the mechanism employed forforming the apertures. In the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4inclusive, I have shown somewhat diagrammatically aperture-formingmechanismineluding two pairs of coacting rotary members, the first pairof members 10 and 11 acting to form the transverse slits 6. One of thesemembers 11 presents a plurality of pairs of longitudinally extendingblades 12 ofjthe proper spacingand length, and the other member 10presents hardened platen surfaces against which these blades act. Theother two members, 13 and 14, coact to form the longitudinal slits 0.One of these members 14 carries blades 15 as well as flanges 16 forforcing the severed pieces into engaging contact with the other mem-.

ber 13, as for instance into grooves 17. The

severed pieces may be removed from the grooves 17 by stripper fingers18.

This construction and arrangement of parts for forming the apertures areshown more in detail and are claimed in my Patent 1,462,138, issued July17th, 1923.

The sheet after having had the row or rows of apertures formed thereinpasses between one or more pairs of rotary coacting members for formingthe longitudinal slits .(Z. This slitting mechanism may include a seriesof pairs of slightly overlapping rotary drum having a shear members 19and 20, or ma be of any other construction suitable for slitting. For

instance, the upper member 19 may be a.

hardened surface, and the lower members 20 may be V edge score cuttersacting against said drum. So far as the present invention is concerned,I do not wish to be restricted to any particular mechanism for formingeither the apertures or for forming the longitudinal slits, except thatthe slitting mechanism should be of blades or knives of the lower member22.

These blades 23 extend lengthwise of the member" 22 and are securedthereto in any suitable mariner, as for instanceby mounting in radialslots where they are secured by,

clamping screws 24. The slots may extend the entire length of the member22 so that blades of any desired length may be inserted, and adjustedlengthwise of the member to the desired positions.

As one important feature of the construc-- tion the blades 23 arearranged alternately 9 in respect to the slot forming mechanismtransversely of the sheet. In'other words, the blades 23 are'sopositioned-that they cut the slits e, e and e" of the sheet as shown,

in Fig. 9, but the several knives are of lengths only slightly greaterthan the length of these slits e, e and e. The blades terminate adjacentto the ends of the apertures,

although they may extend into the apertures a suflicient distance toinsure the proper cutting and avoid the necessity for absolutelyaccurately positioning the blades 23.

As another; important feature fls rovide means for supporting thetabs orpro ections from the time they are formed until the finished stripsleave the machine. 7 As shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive this supportingmeans includes a series of belts or endless conveyors 25 passin overrollers or drums 26 and 27, so positioned on opposite sides wise of themachine from 'one side of the members 21, 22 to the opposite side. Thesebelts are ositioned substantially in align-' ment with the apertureforming mechanism,

and are each of a width slightly less than and are disposed between'ad-Y the apertures, jacent blades '23. The belts are also arrangedsubstantially in alignment with the path of the slitters 19, 20, so thatsubstantially the whole of each laterally facing tab with grooves whichreceive the belts and between adjacent grooves are portions of of thelower member 22 as to present a run 1 of each belt substantially in theplane of 5 delivery of the sheet, and extending lengthslightly largerdiameter, as shown particularly at the left edge of Fig. 4. Theseportions of larger diameter may coact with a superposed roller or drum28 to form feeding mechanism for drawing the sheet through the machineand taking out all slack in the sheet. Preferably the roller 28 "and thecoacting gripping portions of the roller 27 have a slightly greaterperipheral speed than the normal speed of the sheet, so as to slipslightly on the sheet but to give a tensioning effect as well as apositive pull. As the portions of the rollers 27 which engage with thebelt are of smaller diameter than the gripping portions of theserollers, the belts may travel at the same speed as the sheet while thelarger portions of the drum have a slightly higher speed than the sheet.The rollers 26 and 27 may be of any desired diameter, and if suchdiameter be less than that of the lower.

member 22 'of the cut off mechanism the belts may pass over an idler 29below the member 22.

For conveying the sheet to the belts and for supporting the tabs at thetime they are first'formed, there is provided asupporting platform ortable 30 which may have a. series of fingers 31 projecting throughbetween the slitting mechanism upon op osite sides of and closelyadjacent to the slitting blades, as shown particularly in Fig. 4. Thesefingers may be so secured to the supporting platform 30 that they may beadjusted transversely of the machine to permit of transverse adjustmentof the slitters, and the opposite edge of the platform 30 may terminateclosely adjacent to the drum 26 and the belts of the latter so as toleave no gap through which tabs themselves may droop, or against whichthe edges of the tabs may catch.

Feeding means in addition to the rollers 27 and 28 may be provided atany desired point along the path of travel of the sheet, and the stripswhen completed and delivered from the rollers 27, 28, may be received byany suitable mechanism or conveyed to any desired stacking machine. Thedriving mechanism for the various rotary parts may be any suitable formof gearing so as to givethe proper peripheral speeds to the severalparts. The slitters 19, 20 should travel at a higher peripheral speedthan the sheet to give the best cutting action. If the sheet have acoating of slate or other mineral matter, this will ordinarily be uponthe upper surface of the sheet and the cutters, for instance those ofthe members 11 and 22. may be beneath the sheet and may be adjusted soas to cut through the fiber or body portions of the sheet but notactually contact with the platen surfaces above. Additional supportingmeans for the sheet along its path of travel may be provided if desired.I have not shown any such additional supporting means in advance of theslitters 19, 20, although such may be empleyed. I have shown transversebars 32 upon opposite sides of the cut 03 mechanism and presentingplatforms or supporting surfaces 33 between the belts, and at the outersides of the belts. These -may be omitted if desired.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown a further form in which the belts areomitted and a different form of cut off mechanism provided so as toavoid the necessity of these belts. In this form the cut off mechanismincludes a member 21 beneath the sheet, and present ing a hardened orplaten surface, and a member 22 above the sheet and presenting a singleblade or knife 23 extending the full width of the sheet.- By putting thesmooth surfaced member of the cut off mechanism beneath the sheet, theplatform or stationary support 30 may terminate closely adjacent to thesurface of/ the member 21 and a second supporting platform or table 34may rece-ivethe strips and support them as they move to the feed rolls2728. The feed roll 27 may serve as a drum for a. conveyor belt 35carrying the finished strips to any desired point. The belt 35 may be ofthe full width of the sheet, or may be of separate narrower sections.The mechanism for forming the apertures and for slitting the sheetlengthwise may be of the same character as that illustrated in Figs. 1to 4 inclusive. With the arrangement of supports 30- and 34, asillustrated in Fig. 5, it is not necessary to have conveyor beltsextending through the cutoff mechanism.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I have shown a further form of my improved mechanism.Here all of the parts for forming the apertures, the longitudinal slitsandthe transverse slits may be the same as. in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive,but I employ belts25 which are arranged in pairs and extend not onlythrough the cut off mechanism but also through the slitting mechanismupon opposite sides of the slitting members. In this construction thebelt supporting drum or roller 26 instead of being mounted between theslitters and the cut off mechanism. is mounted in advance of theslitting mechanism. Thus the belts support. the sheet on its way to'theslitting mechanism. support the tabs at the instant they are formed bythe connecting of the successive apertures at the slitting mechanism,and also support the tabs or projections as they pass through the cutoff mechanism. Additional supports for the body of the sheet or stripsmay be provided at any desired points along the path of travel. I'haveshown a transverse row of such supports or platforms 33 beyond the cutoff mechanism. but others may be employed if desired. It will be notedthat in this form I avoid, the necessity of the stationary supports 30or 30 and the fingers 31, as I so arrange the parts that the belts 25serve the function of these parts. have so shown the drum or roller 26as coacting with a superposed roller 36 to form a part of the sheetfeedingmechanism.

I have illustrated the machine as constructed and designed to formstrips with comparatively narrow notches or recesses in the edge of eachfinished strip, with a plurality of laterally facing rectangularprojections. It will of course be evident that by the proper formationor of the slot forming apparatus, the slitters, and the cut offmechanism, shingle strips of variousdifl'erent forms and designs mightbe made and the shape, character and spacing of the tabs or shingle likeprojections varied at will.

I have shown a machine adapted for slitting a sheet into four strips,but by the proper selection and arrangement of the parts a narrower orwider sheet may be employed and cut into a larger or smaller number ofstrips of any desired width.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: 1

1. A machine for making shingle strips including rotary coacting membersfor forming a row of; apertures in a sheet of material, a pair ofrotarycoacting members for slitting the sheet into strips along a lineextending lengthwise of the sheet and intersecting said'apertures toform one or more rows of laterally projecting tabs, and a pair of rotarycoacting members for subdividing said strips transversely -into sectionsof uniform length, said first mentioned members and said last mentionedmembers being driven at substantially the same peripheral speed, andsaid rotary members for slitting the sheet being driven at a higherperipheral speed.

2. A machine for making shingle strips including means for forming a rowof apertures in a sheet of material, means for slitting the sheetlengthwise into strips along a line lengthwise of the sheet andintersecting said apertures to form oneor more rows of laterallyprojecting tabs, means for subdividing the strips transversely intosections of uniform length, and feeding means for exerting a pull on theadvancingend of the sheet to prevent accumulation of slack, and foradvancing the successively formed strip sections at a faster rate thanthe body of the sheet.

3. A machine formaking shingle strips including means for forming a rowof apertures in a sheet of material, means for slitting the sheetlengthwise into strips along a line lengthwise of the sheet andintersecting said apertures to form one or more adjustment rows oflaterally projecting tabs, means for tions of uniformlength, andfeedingmeans I, for exerting a pull on the advancing end of the sheet toprevent accumulation of slack, and for advancing the successively formedstrip sections at a faster rate than the body of the sheet, including apair of superposed rotary members between which said sheet passes, andhaving a rate of surface spee'd slightly greater than the rate ofsurface speed of the body of the sheet.

4. A machine for making shingle strips including means for forming a rowof apertures in,a sheet of material, means beyond said first mentionedmeans for slitting the sheet lengthwise into strips along a linelengthwise of the sheet and intersecting said apertures to form one ormore rows of laterally projecting tabs, means independent of said firstmentioned means for subdividing the strips transversely into sections ofuniform length, including a rotary cutter member having a bladeextending lengthwise thereof, and a rotary platen member against whichthe blade acts.

. 5. machine for making shingle strips including means for forming a rowof apertures lengthwise of a sheet and intermediate of its side edges,a. circular rotarycutter for slitting the sheet into sections along aline intersecting said apertures to form a row of laterally projectingtabs, 9. air of rotary coacting members for subdlviding said strips intosections, and stationary supporting members extending alongside of saidslitting cutter to said rotary members and over which said tabs slide.

. 6. A machine for making shingle strips including means for forming arow of apertures lengthwise in a sheet of material and intermediate ofits side edges a pair of rotary overlap ing shear mem ers beyond saidmeans an, mounted on spaced parallel shafts for slitting the sheet intostrips along a line lengthwise of said sheet and intersecting saidapertures to form a. row of tabs, and supports exlaterally projectingtending between said shaftsand alongside of said shear members tosupport the free ends of the tabs as soon as they are formed.

7. A machine for making shingle strips including means for forming a rowof apertures lengthwise in a sheet of material and intermediate of itsside edges, a pair of rotary overlapping shear members mounted beyondsaid means and on spaced parallel shafts for slitting the sheet intostrips along a line lengthwise of said shaft and intersecting saidapertures to form a row of laterally projecting tabs, and supportsextending between said shafts and on opposit'e sides of said shearmembers to support the free ends of the tabs as soon as they are formed.

8. A machine for making shingle strips including means for formin a rowof apertures in a sheet of materiafi means beyond said first mentionedmeans for slitting the sheet lengthwise into strips along a 'linelengthwise of the sheet and intersecting said apertures to form one ormore rows of laterally projecting tabs, means beyond said sec- 0ndmentioned means for subdividing the strips transversely into sections,and a table or platform between said slitting means and said cut oilmeans, and having portions projecting lengthwise of the sheet alongsideof the slitting means.

9. A machine for making shingle strips including means for forming a rowof apertures in a sheet 'of material, means beyond.

said first'mentioned means for slitting the sheet lengthwise into stripsalong a line lengthwise of the sheet and intersecting said apertures toform one or more rows of laterally projecting tabs, means beyond saidincluding means for formin I apertures in a sheet of material, means fortures in a sheet of materia ,,means beyond said first mentioned meansfor slitting the sheet lengthwise into strips along a line lengthwise ofthe sheet andintersecting said apertures to form one or more rows oflaterally rojecting tabs, means beyond said second mentioned means forsubdividing the strips transversely into sections, and a table orplatform between said slitting means and said out as means, and havin apair of fingers projecting between the s afts of theslitting means andalongside of the shear members, the fingers and shear members beingadjustable transversely. of the machine.

11. A machine for making shingle strips a row of slitting the sheetlengthwise into strips along a line lengthwise of the sheet andintersecting said apertures to form one or more rows of laterallyprojecting tabs, means for subdividing the strips transversely intosections along lines intersecting certain only of said "apertures, saidmeans including blades of lengths corres onding to the width of theportions of t e sheet transversely thereof upon opposite sides of anaperture.

12. A machine for making shingle strips including means for formin a rowof aper-- tures in a sheet of materia means beyond said first mentionedmeans for slitting the sheet lengthwise into strips along a linelengthwise of the sheet and intersecting said apertures to form one ormore rows of laterally projecting tabs, and means beyond said secondmentioned means for subdividing the strips transversely into sections,said means including separate blades for severing the material atopposite sides of an aperture.

13. A machine for'making shingle strips including means for forming arow of apertures in a sheet of material, means for slitting the sheetlengthwise into strips along a line lengthwise of the sheet andintersecting said apertures to form one or more rows of laterallyprojecting tabs, means for subdividing the strips transversely intosections, said means including separate blades for severing the materialat opposite sides of an aperture, and a sheet support extendinglengthwise of the sheet past said'blades, and between the s aced endsthereof.

14. A machine or making shingle strips including means for formin a rowof apertures in a sheet of materia means beyond said first mentionedmeans for slitting the sheet lengthwise into strips along a linelengthwise of the sheet and intersecting said apertures toform one ormore rows of laterally projecting tabs, and means beyond said secondmentioned means for subdividing the strips transversely into sections ofuniform length, said aperture-forming means and said sub-dividing meansbeing arranged alternately across the width of the sheet. I 15. Amachine for making shingle strips including means for forming a row ofapertures in a sheet of material, means for slitting the sheetlengthwise into strips along a line lengthwise of the sheet andintersecting said apertures to form one or more rows of laterallyprojecting tabs, and means for subdividing the strips transversely intosections, including a pair of rotary coacting members having bladesextending lengthwise thereof, said blades and aperture forming meansbeing arranged alternately in respect to the width of the sheet.

16. A machine for making shingle strips including means for forming arow of apertures in a sheet of material, means for slittin the sheetlengthwise into strips along a line lengthwise of the sheet andintersecting said a ertures to form one or more rows of lateraly'projecting tabs, means for subdividing the strips transversely intosections, including a pair of coacting members havin blades extendinglen thwise thereof, said lades' and apertureorming means being arrangedalternately in respect to the width of the sheet, and tab supportingmeans extending lengthwise of the machine between the axes of saidmembers and between the ends of the blades thereof.

17. A machine formaking shingle strips,

fleeting .tabs, means for subdividi strips transversely into sections,inclu mg a' strips having including means for forming a row of aperturesin a sheet of material, means for slitting the'sheet lengthwise intostrips each having one or more rows of laterally pr}?- air of membershaving blades extending lengthwise thereof, said blades andapertureforming means being arranged alternately in respect to the widthof the sheet, and belts extending lengthwise of the sheet between saidmembers and in alignment lengthwise of the machine with the aperture-forming means to support the tabs during their advancement 18. Amachlne for making shingle strips I including members for forming aplurality of apertures in the sheet in a row lengthwise of the sheet,means beyond said members for slitting the sheet along a line1ntersecting said row of apertures to form strips having laterallyfacing tabs between successive apertures, cut off mechanism beyond saidmeans for subdividing said strips into sections, and means for supplortmthe tab ends as the strips advance t roug the cut-ofi mechanism.

19; A machine for making shin le strips including rotary coacting memers for forming a plurality of apertures in the .sheet and spaced apartin a plurality of rows lengthwise of the sheet, meansfor slitting thesheet along lines intersecting each longitudinal row; of apertures 'toform laterally facing tabs between successive apertures, cut oilmeehanismineluding a rotary member having a series of blades extendinglengthwise thereof, said blades being of lengths corresponding to thedistances transversely of the sheet between the apertures of the severalrows, and

said blades being arranged to sever the sheet along lines intersectingsaid apertures.

20. A machine for making shin 'le strips including rotary coactingmembers for forming a plurality of apertures in the sheet and spacedapart in a plurality of rows lengthwise of the sheet, means for slittingthe sheet along lines intersecting each longitudinal row of a ertures toform strips having laterally faelng tabs between successive apertures,cut ofi mechanism including a rotary member having a series of bladesextending len hwise thereof, said blades being of lengt s correspondingto the distances transversely of the sheet between the apertures of theseveral rows, and said blades being arranged to sever the sheet alonglines intersecting said apertures, and supports for said tabs beyondsaid out off mechanism and extending be- I tween the spaced ends of saidblades.

21. A machine for making shingle strips including means for forming aplurality of apertures in the sheet and spaced apart in a plurality ofrows lengthwise of the sheet, means for slitting the sheet along linesintersectingeach longitudinal row of apertures to form strips havinglaterally facing tabs between successive apertures, cut off mechanismincluding a series of blades of lengths corresponding to ,the dr tancestransversely of the sheet between the apertures of the several rows, andsaid blades being arranged to sever the sheet along lines intersectingsaid apertures, and

belts extending through the cut or mechaof said blades for supportingand conveying the tabs, a drum beyond said cut oil mechanism and overwhich ,said belts pass, said drum having peripheral grooves receivingsaid belts, and a rotary member coacting with the portions of the drumbetween said grooves and tending to'advance the sheet at a slightlyfaster rate than the rate of travel of the belts.

23. A machine for forming shingle strips including rotary coactingmembers for forming a row of apertures as the sheet advances betweenthem, a pair of rotary coactingmembers for slitting the sheetlengthwise, a pair of coacting members for subdividing the sheettransversely into sections, and a air of rotary coacting feeding membersVond the other members'in the direction a of travel of the sheet, saidfecding members and slitting members having a higher peripheral speedthan the other members.

24. 'A machine for making shingle strips including means for feeding asheet lengthwise, means for cutting said sheet into a series of stripsextending lengthwise of the sheet and each presentinglaterally extendingprojections, a pair of rotary coacting members for subdividing saidstrips into sections and including a mandrel member and a plurality ofblade members, the blade members being spaced apart at their ends andadapted to cut the strips along lines connecting the innermost portionsof the spaces between said projections.

25. A machine for making shingle strips ing projections, a pair ofrotary coacting;

including means for feeding a sheet length- Wise, means tor cutting saidsheet into a series of strips extending lengthwise of the sheet and eachpresenting laterally extending projections, a pair of coacting membersfor subdividing said strips into sections, and including a plurality ofblade members spaced apart at their ends and adapted cut the stripsalong lines connecting the innermost portions of the spaces between saidprojections, and conveyor belts extending through between said coactingmembers for supporting the projections during the cutting of the bodyportions of the strips.

27. In combination, means for feeding a sheet endwise, means for cuttingit into strips each strip extending in the direction of travel of thesheet and presenting-laterally facing pro'ections, a pair of coactingmembers for su dividing the strips into sections, and conveyor beltsextending between said members. f i

28. A machine of the class described, including a pair of slitters forsubdividing a sheet ;lengthwise into strips, '3; pair of coactingmembers having blades extending lengthwise thereof and spaced apartendwise and on opposite sides of the plane of the slitters, and-aconveyor belt extending from said slitters between said members, and'ofless width than thespacing between the ends of said blades.

29. In a machine of the class; described, rotary coacting members forcutting transversely extendin rows of slots in a sheet of material, apair of rotary coacting members arranged beyond said first mentionedmembers and-haying blades spaced apart endwise fer forming a series ofslits transveisely of the sheet and connecting said slots, and supportsextending betweenfihe {last mentioned members and between the spacedends of the blades thereof. 7

Signed at Camden in the county of Camden and State o f'New Jersey this18th day of December A; D. 1922.

SAMUEL M. LANGSTON.

